Your pet learns where the containment area is through voice commands, visual flags placed 2 to 10 feet inside a buried electronic wire, and audible and electronic-pulse warning signals from the receiver collar.

If your dog goes within five to 10 feet of the boundary wire, a warning sound will tell him that he's too close to it. If the dog reaches the boundary wire, he feels a mild correction sensation. Most dogs are trained within a week, but some breeds, such as huskies and terriers, can take longer.

Q: What equipment is required?

A transmitter that conveys a radio signal, and the collar radio receiver, the wires that get buried and a lightning-protection box, which grounds the system.

Q: How is the system powered?

The radio transmitter is plugged into an electrical outlet in the house. It takes up just about next-to-nothing power.

Q: How are the underground wires installed?

A machine cuts a simple, quarter-inch-wide incision into the lawn around the containment area. The wire that creates the radio signal is then easily slipped into that incision. The lawn suffers little to no damage, and no permit is needed.

Electronic pet fencing can also be used around a pool, barbecue pit or flowerbed. It also works indoors; so if, for example, your pet is tearing up your living room curtains, you can keep him out of that room.

Q:How much does it cost?

We charge by the acre, with $1,200 for up to a half acre. After that, it's $75 for each additional quarter acre. The collar's battery needs to be replaced every two years.

Q:Is pet fencing transferable to a new house?

The homeowners can take all above-ground equipment and only need to get new buried wiring.

Q:Does electronic pet fencing work on cats?

It works on some cats, but many of them don't like wearing collars in general. Cats that are used to wearing a collar might be able to be trained, but electronic pet fencingisn't really designed for them because they don't react like dogs.

For example, a dog would retreat to its house, but a cat might run up a tree.

Good guys vs. Bad guys

Before you hire anyone to do work around your home, check these sites:

Renegade Renovators: Westchester County's Office of Consumer Affairs maintains a "bad guy" list. Find it, and a lot of information on how to choose a contractor at http://consumer.westchestergov.com/home-contractors/choosing-a-contractor

Rockland County Department of Consumer Affairs: Go here to check if the contractor you are planning to hire is licensed: http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/. You can also file a complaint, and find consumer tips.

Better Business Bureau: To check out whether a business, firm or worker is reputable, go here: http://newyork.bbb.org/consumers/ You can also report shady companies to the BBB.

Westchester County Clerk: This is a good resource to check whether a contractor is licensed. Call them at 914-995-3082 or visit the website www.westchesterclerk.com